Criminal Appeals
Our justice system is not perfect. Wrongful convictions occur. An appeal provides an opportunity to correct mistakes and cure injustice.
An appeal, however, is not a second trial. It requires identifying legal errors that may have affected the outcome, analyzing the trial record, and presenting persuasive written and oral arguments before an appellate court. Successful appeals demand meticulous legal analysis, strategic judgment, and skilled advocacy.
Ryan has extensive experience acting for both appellants and respondents in conviction and sentence appeals. He has appeared before appellate courts in British Columbia, Ontario, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, and Nunavut. His appellate work has involved issues including jury instructions, evidentiary rulings, procedural fairness, constitutional rights, and sentencing principles.
Ryan also serves as Chair of the Criminal Appeals Committee for Nunavut Legal Aid. In that role, he reviews convictions and sentences to determine whether public funding should be granted for appeals, evaluates proposed grounds of appeal, and provides guidance on complex appellate matters. This perspective gives him a practical understanding of what distinguishes a meritorious appeal from one that is unlikely to succeed.
Whether you are considering an appeal, responding to one, or seeking advice about your appellate rights, Ryan provides clear, practical advice and experienced representation at every stage of the appellate process.
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